Committee directs audit of Florida Lottery for fiscal 2025–26; AG and legislative office assigned roles

The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee voted to direct the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA, referred to in testimony as OPOGA/OPAGA) to conduct the annual audit of the Department of the Lottery for fiscal year 2025–26.

Senator McClain moved the formal directive and read the scope the committee approved: “I move that the committee direct the auditor general and OPOGA to conduct the audit of the department of the lottery for the 2526 fiscal year. The auditor general will be responsible for the financial statements, internal control, and compliance issues. The auditor general may also use her discretion to include operational topics. Opaga will be responsible for developing recommendations to enhance the earning capability of the lottery and to improve the efficiency of the department's operations.” The committee then proceeded to a roll-call vote called by the clerk.

The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Chair Tremont, Vice Chair Rotor, Representative Gossett Simon, Representative Henson, Senator McClain, Representative Plaikin, Senator Trunell and Senator Wright. The chair announced the motion carried.

The motion assigns the Auditor General primary responsibility for the financial‑statement audit and for assessing internal controls and compliance; the legislative office was tasked with developing operational recommendations aimed at increasing lottery revenue and improving departmental efficiency. The committee did not record any dissenting votes on the roll call that was taken at the meeting.